Luhansk Rebels Send Reinforcements to Donetsk

The Moscow Times

May. 27 2014 15:26

Last edited 15:27

Valentyn Ogirenko / ReutersSelf-styled head of Luhansk region Valery Bolotov (C) talks to people's deputies as they voted about constitution of "Luhansk People's Republic" in the seized regional government headquarters in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called for a halt to military action in eastern Ukraine, separatists from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reportedly headed to Donetsk to provide reinforcements.

"Our troops have already been sent to Donetsk and Slovyansk. We are not only helping with equipment, but also with people," the head of the Luhansk republic, Valery Bolotov, told journalists on Tuesday, Rambler.ru reported.

Heavy fighting erupted in Donetsk late Monday, as pro-Russian separatists engaged in a shootout with Ukrainian troops at the city's airport.

Alexander Lyukyanchenko, the self-proclaimed mayor of Donetsk, said 40 people had been killed in Monday's violence, including two civilians, regional news outlet OstroV reported Tuesday.

The clashes did not go unnoticed by Russian leaders, with both Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commenting on the intensified violence on Tuesday.

In a telephone conversation with Italy's prime minister, Putin stressed the importance of dialogue in resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to a transcript posted on the Kremlin's website.

Lavrov told journalists at a news conference that the "number one task" of the authorities in Kiev should be "an immediate halt of military action against the population," Interfax reported.

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro and Russia after Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier in Podgorica was abandoned in the second half following crowd trouble and a scuffle among the players.

A report being prepared by Nemtsov supporters claims Moscow has started discharging soldiers from the army before sending them to Ukraine and then denying compensation in order to cover up Russia's involvement.

A zoo in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod will erect a monument to a pair of swans who died in swift succession earlier this year after one was apparently murdered by zoo visitors and its mate pined to death.

Russia's brand-new T-14 Armata main battle tank, which is set to be officially unveiled to the public at a Victory Day parade on Red Square on May 9, has reportedly been sighted readying for the ceremonies outside Moscow.